Red Hot Chilli Peppers to headline Leeds Festival 2016

US rock superstars Red Hot Chili Peppers are the first headline act to be unveiled for next year’s Leeds Festival.

Festival boss Melvin Benn made the announcement today, saying he was “thrilled” to welcome the band back to Reading and Leeds, nine years after their last visit.

He said: “Their incredible live show will be an unforgettable headline performance. We’ve still got some really exciting names to announce and I can’t wait to reveal the rest of the line up. It’s going to be our best year yet.”

Also on the bill for 2016 are The 1975, Courteeners, Twenty One Pilots, Boy Better Know, Crossfaith, Hinds, Ratboy, Slaves and DJ EZ.

Slaves will move to a bigger slot at the festival after storming their performance this year - and nabbing a Mercury Prize nomination earlier this month.

A statement from the band said: “It’s always a pleasure to play at Reading and Leeds and it’s an honour to be invited back to play again in 2016. The crowds have been good to us and we are always very grateful. The line up is always a gooden and we’re looking forward to being part of it and taking things up another level this time.”